A big-budget Christmas action movie starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans and attempting to do for Christmas what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done for superheroes seems like a sure recipe for a hit. Sounds good, but “Red One” has struggled since its release.

As of the latest update, Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it a dismal 30% rating, and while it debuted at the top of the box office, it is tepid compared to its massive budget.

There's nothing wrong with putting a different spin on the traditional Christmas movie genre or coming up with a new mythology for a beloved character like Santa Claus, but as I noted in my review of “The Red One,” it's “gaudy, empty, and ugly look.”

Now that “Red One” is available for streaming, it has a slight chance of being a streaming hit this holiday season. But if you're looking for a Christmas action movie, here are seven that we think are even better, offering thrills, action, and a creative twist on the usual festivities.

Unlike “The Red One,” this Christmas action film featuring Santa Claus is fully committed to its absurd premise and is not afraid to get nasty, gross, and cynical. David Harbour plays Santa, a cynical drunk who resents how greedy modern children are. When Santa goes to deliver presents at the mansion of a wealthy tycoon, he encounters an attack by a group of criminals who have taken the wealthy family hostage.

Santa fights the bad guys and has a heart-to-heart with a young girl who restores his faith in the meaning of Christmas. There are plenty of goofy one-liners and gruesome kills, and Harber's commitment to his ridiculous role makes this brutal thriller a kind of sweetness in the end.

Watch “Violent Night” on Starz

No Christmas action movie would be complete without “Die Hard.” There's a reason why this influential film starring Bruce Willis remains so beloved.

If you haven't seen it yet, in “Die Hard,” New York cop John McClane (Willis) travels to Los Angeles to attend a Christmas Eve party at the imposing Nakatomi Plaza. When a gang of thugs take over the building and hold everyone hostage, including his estranged wife, McClane realizes he must deal with the threat alone.

Watch “Die Hard” on Hulu and Tubi

Krampus in “Red One” is more outsider anti-hero than demon, but the malevolent Christmas creature has been a major presence in horror films for the last decade or so The film is directed and co-written by In director and co-writer Michael Dougherty's horror-comedy, Krampus appears as a threat that brings dysfunctional family members together.

Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, and Allison Tolman play adult relatives who can't stand each other but do their best to maintain harmony for the sake of their children--at least until Krampus arrives. But just because they have put aside their disagreements and come to appreciate Christmas does not mean they will be saved. Doherty has created a cynical, darkly funny film that chooses sadistic playfulness over the warmth of Christmas.

Watch “Krampus” on Max

Bill Goldberg may be far less well known and successful as a wrestler-turned-actor than Dwayne Johnson, but in this delightfully droll horror comedy, the vindictive, deadly He is perfectly cast as the vindictive, daredevil Santa Claus in this delightfully screwed-up horror comedy. So cartoonish is “Santa's Slay” that it hardly qualifies as horror; rather, it functions more like an ultraviolent slapstick comedy. Goldberg plays a variation on the evil Santa, who is actually the son of Satan, cursed to spend every Christmas delivering presents instead of mayhem.

Now that the curse is broken, Santa is free to resume his reign of terror. Writer/director David Steiman knows how silly his premise is, and the actors play up the silliness accordingly. More interesting than “RED ONE” on a fraction of the budget.

View on Starz

Before playing Santa Claus in “RED ONE,” J.K. Simmons played the same role in this Netflix original, the streaming service's first Academy Award nominated, more satisfying animated film. Simmons voices a grumpy hermit named Klaus, a woodworker who lives outside the isolated Norwegian village of Smellensberg.

Thanks to the meddling of a sarcastic postman named Jesper Johansen (Jason Schwartzman), Klaus handcrafts toys for the village children, which Jesper delivers to meet his mail quota.

Director and co-writer Sergio Pavlos envisions an archaic alternative version of 19th century Norway, where the post office is a kind of harsh ruling institution. Rendered in a painterly, hand-drawn style, “Klaus” is a new origin story for Santa Claus that mixes classical storytelling with a modern sensibility, creating a folklore of its own.

Watch “Klaus” on Netflix

Aardman's high-tech North Pole operation in this charming animated film is far more immersive and clever than a similar setting in “Red One.” The title character (James McAvoy) is determined to deliver the missing presents and prove he is worthy of taking over Santa Claus from his father (Jim Broadbent).

“Arthur Christmas” combines the cheeky, whimsical style of the studio behind “Wallace and Gromit” and “Chicken Run” with holiday cheer. There's plenty of excitement and adventure, but it all comes down to the bumbling, likable Arthur, who wants to give every child the best Christmas ever.

Watch “Arthur Christmas” on Paramount Plus or Tubi

I've already seen “Violent Night. John Woo's “A Good Night” is an appropriate follow-up if you want to see another more violent Christmas movie.

In this 2023 revenge thriller, Brian (Joel Kinnaman), an out-of-touch father, sets out on a journey of revenge after witnessing the death of his son, who was caught in the crossfire between two warring gangs on Christmas Eve. After recovering from the wounds of losing his voice and training himself to become a deadly weapon himself, Brian heads out to punish the perpetrators.

Watch “Silent Night” on Starz